Topic : How to write

Many of us postpone doing things we don't like. Taxes (guilty). Washing dishes (guilty, occasionally). Making the bed (at least I overcame this one 20 years ago). But the real doozie is writing. Why do so many of us defer, delay and shilly-shally about writing for so damn long?
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I like collecting quotes about writing. A while ago, I stumbled across this one attributed to Albert Einstein: "Look deep, deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." How is that a quote about writing, you ask? Let me give you five reasons...
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If you feel that lack of willpower has contributed to your difficulty with writing, then follow some tips from The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal. Writing coach Daphne Gray-Grant found inspiration from the book, even inspiring her to find the willpower to write this column.
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I used to loathe writing. I found it both daunting and painful — kind of like going to the dentist and having a root canal. Every day.

I delayed and procrastinated, putting off the dreaded task as long as humanly possible. Only the force of an inexorable deadline impelled me to push out any words. And when I finally had them written down, little time remained for editing.
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Writing coach Daphne Gray-Grant has an unusual suggestion for writers developing their craft: "Take a published work, written by an author you respect and admire, and copy a portion of it, word for word." Just don't pass it off as your own!
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How are you at handling criticism? I don't mean comments about your driving or your housework or your management style. And I particularly don't mean criticism from your kids. (Anyone who can tolerate that with grace deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for parenting.) I'm talking about criticism of your writing.
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